A container ship and a tanker collided off the English coast in March, leaving one dead. The vessel is now set for repair.
On March 10, the container ship “Solong”, owned by the Hamburg-based shipping company Ernst Russ, collided with the Swedish tanker “Stena Immaculate” off the Humber Estuary on England’s east coast. A fire broke out on both vessels, and a Filipino seafarer from the “Solong” died in the accident. The captain of the container ship, built in 2005, was arrested. To cover potential claims, Ernst Russ applied to the Admiralty Court in London for the establishment of a limitation of liability fund to protect its assets.
While the “Solong” burned out completely and is considered a total loss, the tanker “Stena Immaculate” escaped with comparatively minor damage. Only a cargo tank and a ballast water tank were affected in the collision, and around 17,000 barrels of aviation fuel were lost in the fire. Major environmental damage, however, was avoided.
The operator Stena Bulk has now announced that the “Stena Immaculate” (49,729 dwt), built in 2017, has been handed over to an undisclosed buyer. The vessel is to undergo extensive repairs at Desan Shipyard in Turkey. Formerly sailing under the US flag, the ship is now registered under the Maltese flag.
“We would like to thank all parties involved in the salvage and handling for their continued professionalism and support throughout the process,” said Erik Hånell, President and CEO of Stena Bulk.
